Northwestern fans will see a familiar sight on Saturday night at Vanderbilt: a linebacker wearing jersey No. 51 trotting out onto the field with the first-team defense.

Bryce McNaul is proud to wear the number made famous by coach Pat Fitzgerald. But he was given that number by the Wildcats as a true freshman. He had to earn his starting weakside linebacker spot by emerging as the winner in the most competitive position battle of fall camp.